I'm scared to take my Klonopin?

I was just started on 1 mg of Klonopin because I was having adverse side effects of Ativan. Ativan did the exact opposite of calming me down. It gave me more anxiety, restlessness, depression, etc. The paradoxical effect is what they call it. I'm scared Klonopin will do the same if not worse since either is also a benzo. My psychiatrist says it'll be fine but my anxiety is telling me otherwise. I'm literally so terrified to take new medications because I was prescribed Celexa awhile ago and it messed with my heart. I also take Paxil now and I heard Klonopin interacts with that. I realy want to try it and see if it works but I'm a big hypochondriac. I just don't know what to do. Please help if you have any advice or personal experiences with Klonopin. Thank you in advance.

Responses (2)

Please don't be afraid. I have been on Klonopin for years (1mg x4 daily) and Xanax 1mg x4 daily. The last time I went to my doc, I had nothing left of either and couldn't drive (severe panic disorder). He gave me 1mg of Atavan and I was absolutely dopey, anxious and 'off'. I get none of these with Klonopin or Xanax. Also keep in mind that if one person has an adverse reaction, it has to be added to the side effects list. That one person may have washed their meds down with a bottle of whiskey! I have hypochondria on top of panic too, and I've learned that the best thing to do when you're nervous about a new med is to talk to your pharmacist! They have all of the information right on their computers and can tell you if you may experience a problem. I was very concerned about Abilify, my pharmacist actually called my doc to recommend something else, as there were mild interaction concerns. Klonopin is a life saver, and i can honestly say in 20 years I have never had a problem!

How did you end up doing with the Klonopin? Did yiu bite the bullet and give it a try?

Remember that drugs like Ativan and Xanax are not really "meant" to be taken every day (though they are sometimes prescribed this way.) they are what I call "rescue meds." When you feel an anxiety or panic attack welling up, you take one, and hopefully it helps the attack be less intense. You think positive, logical (vs emotional) thoughts throughout the duration of the attack, and little by little, you find yourself experiencing fewer and fewer attacks, because you have gained experience over time learning how to self-manage them.

Klonopin, on the other hand, is to be taken every day at the dose directed by your Doctor, no matter how you feel. Klonopin works to constantly stay in your bloodstream and keep anxiety attacks from happening at all, or make them more mild when they do happen. Have you found that to be your experience as to how it is working for you?